If you’re looking for somewhere cosy to escape the winter blues – a road trip to vibrant, colourful Orange will be sure to do the trick! About 255km on the Great Western Highway (with a stop-off or two in the Blue Mountains all part of the adventure), it’s the perfect opportunity to take in some of NSW’s most spectacular views with heaps of rewarding places to visit when you get to your destination. While an action-packed weekender could be just what’s needed, we’d recommend a couple of extra days (if you can spare the time) so that you can really explore.
Best tyres for the ride
Maxxis has a wide range of quality tyres for just about any vehicle! If yours is an SUV or other passenger vehicle, the Maxxis VS5 is an exceptional option which offers superior levels of safety, comfort and overall performance as well as being excellent when it comes to handling (which is a must on any road trip). For 4x4s, the RAZR all-terrain AT811 gives you the best of both worlds, offering a fabulous on-road ride while also having excellent traction, puncture resistance and self-cleaning ability should you decide to take an off-road track! If you need advice as to the best tyres for your particular vehicle, our friendly Maxxis dealers are always happy to help – you can find one closest to wherever you are by using the handy Dealer locator tool on the Maxxis website.
Stop in at the Blue Mountains
The best road trips always include a pitstop or two, and with the unmatched UNESCO World Heritage listed Blue Mountains perfectly positioned at just over an hour and a half into your journey to Orange, this makes for one super stunning and convenient coffee or lunch. If you want to make the most of the experience while you’re there, make sure you take the time to enjoy the magnificent views on the famous Three Sisters walk – a definite bucket list must-do. For a bit of extra adventure, book in for a ride on the Scenic Cableway suspended over 500m above the Jamieson Valley or jump on the Scenic Railway (the steepest railway in the world) for an unforgettable ride! If what you’re really after is a coffee, gourmet brekky, steaming bowl of delicious home-made soup or something else equally yummy, there are numerous cafes and restaurants in Katoomba and Leura and sprinkled throughout the Blue Mountains which have every type of snack sorted!
It’s Apples in Orange
Part of the area often referred to as the food bowl of NSW, Orange is an agricultural hub in the Central Tablelands which is much-loved by foodies (and others!) for its fresh produce, hatted restaurants, wineries and cellar doors allin easy striking distance! While you’d think Orange would be the capital of oranges, apples and cherries are the fruit it is actually most famous for, along with strawberries, stone fruit and a wide range of others! Orange is renowned (amongst many things) for its spectacular Autumn leaves, however Winter also holds plenty of colour with heaps to see, do, taste and experience. Here are just a few pointers to get your visit started…
Winter Fire Festival
If you plan your road trip soon, you’ll be just in time for the Fire Festival celebration. Held in the Orange region from 2- 11 August it will be brimming with bonfires under starry night skies, magnificent food, wine tastings, creative workshops, storytelling, camaraderie and a whole lot more.
Farmers Market
What better way to get a taste of the fresh produce from around Orange than direct from the farmers themselves! Held every second Saturday of the month from 8:30am at the Naylor Pavilion, Orange Showgrounds, the Farmers’ Market is the place you’ll find plenty to take home or eat on the spot while listening to musicians and getting into the local Orange vibe!
Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve
If you’re up for a bit of outdoor adventuring, make sure you don’t go past the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve. Only about 18km outside Orange, it has some great walks and trails with Arch Cave an exciting place to explore. There’s also a great picnic area – so don’t forget your esky!
Vineyards, Cellar Doors and Fantastic Food
Orange’s cool climate wines are a highlight of the region with up to 80 wineries growing an exciting range of different wine types. If you’re keen to do a tasting, many have cellar doors with beautiful vineyard, garden, orchard or mountain views. In Orange you are also never far away your next exceptional meal. While there are numerous restaurants right in town, there are also a variety of food trails you can follow or take part in where you can experience Orange’s fresh produce right at its source!
Art and Heritage
Orange has lots going for it when it comes to art, culture and a rich history which is evident throughout the town not only in its buildings, but also having a number of museums, galleries and other cultural centres to visit and explore. Along with the centrally located Orange Regional Gallery and Orange Regional Museum, others include the Age Of Fishes Museum in nearby Canowindra and Banjo Paterson More than a Poet museum in Yeoval which provides a deep dive into the life of the famous Banjo Paterson who was (of course) born near Orange!
Parks and Beautiful Open Spaces
Along with its awesome trees throughout the town, Orange has the great outdoors right on its doorstep. The Orange Botanic Gardens offers 17 hectares of beautiful native and other plants, complete with picnic and BBQ facilities – so it’s’ a wonderful place to give the kids a run (your dog too as long as it’s on a lead!) Lake Canobolas, just 15 minutes out of Orange is another perfect picnic spot with a café also on site. There’s a walking track and adventure area, plus you can also canoe and even swim there in the warmer weather. Right in the middle of Orange, Cook Park is another beautiful and expansive (4.5 hectare) space. While you’re there be sure to pop into the community-run Cook Park Guildry situated in its grounds (open 7 days) selling crafts and locally baked goods.
Where to stay
Whether your idea of a weekender is a rustic farm stay, a centrally located historic motel, self-catering apartment or you’re keen to do a bit of luxury vineyard glamping with views, Orange has every accommodation requirement sorted! There are also several camping options with the Colour City Caravan Park near the Showgrounds offering a range of powered sites as well as cabins.
Before you go
It goes without saying that Winter in Orange can be pretty chilly (particularly the evenings and early mornings) – so don’t forget your beanie, gloves, jacket and whatever else you need to keep yourself cosy! You also definitely don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road with a flat (that would be both cold and inconvenient!) so when you do your tyre pressures before heading off, also do a thorough check for any embedded nails or other visible damage and get repairs or replacements done ahead of your trip. Our network of highly professional Maxxis dealers are located throughout NSW including the Orange area — so there’ll always be one close at hand should you need a puncture fixed, new tyres installed or any advice.
